Last weekend's record December snowfall cost the Maryland Department of Transportation a budget-busting $26.9 million for snow removal, Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley said Tuesday. The storm, which dumped an estimated 16 inches to 26 inches on parts of the state, required an expensive response by all of the department's operating agencies. The largest share was accounted for by the highway agency, with $20 million in costs. After several earlier snowfalls, the SHA's spending on snow removal has reached $27 million this season - exceeding its budget of $26 million with almost three months of winter to go, according to MDOT.

- Michael Dresser